Customs officers in south India discovered a secret haul of four kilograms of saffron and nearly two kilograms of gold in recent seizures on December 20 and 21.

Air Customs officials seized gold weighing 1.67 kg (3.6 lbs) worth around USD $117800 and saffron weighing 4 kg worth around USD $13270 at Chennai International Airport, Tamil Nadu.

Gold was discovered being smuggled inside a toy, as well as sachets discovered in the clothes and even the rectums of some passengers.

Air Customs officials seized gold weighing 1.67 kg (3.6 lbs) worth Rs 87 lakhs (USD 117800) and saffron weighing 4 kg worth Rs 9.8 lakh (USD 13270) from a southern Indian airport in Tamil Nadu on December 20 and December 21. The seizure took place at Chennai International Airport.

Visuals show the strips of gold seized laid out by the Customs officials on a table. The saffron retrieved can also be seen laid out.

Thameem Ansari aged 36 who arrived from Dubai in FlyDubai flight FZ8517 on December 21 was intercepted and searched. His check-in baggage consisted of a toy which was unusually heavy. Upon opening the back cover, a small transformer was found inside and when cut open, 49 small gold plates, 25 'E' shaped and 24 rectangular strips were seized.

Shahul Hameed aged 38, Kalandar Bahurudeen aged 29 and Syed Mudaseeruddin aged 32 who arrived by the same flight were searched. Five gold paste bundles were recovered from their rectums and two gold paste pouches were found concealed in their shirt sleeves. Two gold bits were also recovered from their hand baggage. A total of 701 grams of gold worth Rs 36.74 lakh (USD 49752) was recovered. Hameed and Bahurudeen were arrested.

Bathurudeen aged 48 who arrived from Dubai in Air India Express flight IX1644 was also intercepted. Two gold paste bundles were recovered from him. On extraction, 265 grams of gold worth Rs 13.6 lakh (USD 18416) was recovered.

An Emirates flight EK 542 was rummaged on December 21. Ten strips of gold paste were recovered from beneath a seat which yielded 356 gram of gold worth Rs 18.65 lakh (USD 25256).

Sarfudeen Abdul Majeed aged 40 and Mohamed Rahumathullah aged 30 were intercepted and searched, which yielded 4 kg of grade 1 saffron valued at Rs 9.8 lakh (USD 13271).